Model Answer

Introduction

Irrigation refers to the artificial application of water to land to assist in the growth of crops. It is vital for ensuring consistent agricultural productivity in India, particularly in regions with erratic rainfall. In a country where agriculture is the backbone of the economy, effective irrigation is essential for food security, improving crop yields, and boosting farmers’ incomes.

Irrigation Scenario of India:

• Percentage of Irrigated Area: As of 2022-23, India has approximately 141 million hectares of land under cultivation, with 52% (about 73 million hectares) under irrigation. This is a significant increase from 41% in 2016, highlighting positive trends in irrigation expansion.
• Methods of Irrigation:
  • Groundwater Irrigation: Around 62% of irrigation in India relies on groundwater, making it the dominant method. This includes the use of wells, tubewells, and borewells.
  • Canals: Approximately 26% of irrigation is through canal systems. The growing reliance on groundwater has raised concerns about its sustainability, especially in areas with over-exploitation.
• Regional Disparities: There are significant differences in irrigation access across regions. While some states like Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have extensive irrigation infrastructure, others, particularly in eastern and central India, still have limited irrigation coverage.

Current Initiatives to Increase Irrigated Area:

• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): Launched in 2015, PMKSY aims to increase irrigation efficiency and expand the area under irrigation. Key components of this initiative include:
  • Micro-irrigation (e.g., drip and sprinkler systems) to optimize water usage.
  • Watershed development to enhance water storage and reduce wastage.
  • The Per Drop More Crop component focuses on maximizing agricultural productivity with minimal water.
• Command Area Development (CAD) Program: This initiative aims to improve water use efficiency in areas under major and medium irrigation projects. By focusing on distribution and management, CAD helps farmers make better use of available water.
• Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Program (AIBP): AIBP focuses on completing stalled irrigation projects and improving water resource utilization. This program aims to ensure that irrigation systems are not just built but are functional and sustainable.
• Watershed Management and Rainwater Harvesting: Integrated watershed development programs (IWDP) aim to conserve water and increase its availability. By restoring degraded watersheds, these initiatives help improve water quality and availability for agriculture.
• Promotion of Micro-irrigation: The government encourages the use of drip and sprinkler irrigation systems through the PMKSY – Per Drop More Crop initiative. These systems help save water, improve crop yields, and reduce labor costs.
• Dams and Reservoirs: Large-scale irrigation projects like the Bhakra Nangal Dam, Hirakud Dam, and Sardar Sarovar Dam play a crucial role in storing water for agricultural use. As of 2021, 21 dam projects were under review for construction . These dams ensure a stable water supply for irrigation during dry periods.
• Technology and Innovation: The use of technologies like remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) helps monitor water resources efficiently. This ensures better planning and management of irrigation systems, reducing wastage and improving water allocation.

Model Answer

Introduction

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are collaborations between the government and private entities to jointly plan, fund, and execute public service projects. These partnerships have been particularly instrumental in accelerating infrastructure development in India. Since the introduction of PPPs in road transport projects during 1996-1999, several models, including the Hybrid Annuity Model (HAM), have evolved. HAM has played a significant role in overcoming the funding challenges faced by infrastructure projects.

Role of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Accelerating Infrastructure Development

PPPs, particularly through models like HAM, contribute to faster and more efficient infrastructure development by leveraging the strengths of both the government and private sector. Here are some key ways in which they help:

1. Faster Project Implementation

• Risk Sharing: The HAM model encourages quicker project implementation by sharing the risks between the government and private players. This arrangement allows for smoother project execution and reduces delays.
• Example: The Mumbai-Pune Expressway is an example of PPP success, where the combination of government support and private sector innovation led to a well-executed project.

2. Bridging Funding Gaps

• Financing Structure: Under HAM, the government provides 40% of the funding at the beginning of the project through annual payments, while the private partner arranges the remaining 60%. This model addresses the challenge of funding shortages by involving both sectors in the project’s financing.
• Example: The Bengaluru International Airport was developed under the PPP model, with HAM playing a crucial role in providing the necessary financial support for timely completion.

3. Enhanced Efficiency and Innovation

• Private Sector Innovation: The private sector’s involvement in PPPs brings in the best practices, modern technologies, and efficiency, resulting in improved infrastructure quality and better performance.
• Example: The Mumbai-Pune Expressway and other infrastructure projects have benefited from the private sector’s innovative approaches, making them successful.

4. Timely Delivery

• Performance Criteria: PPP contracts, especially those under HAM, often come with strict performance criteria and deadlines, which ensure that projects are completed within the stipulated time frame.
• Example: The Bengaluru International Airport was completed in just 33 months, a record time that was possible due to the efficiency brought about by the PPP model.

5. Predictable Returns

• Annuity Payments: The HAM model ensures steady income for private players through annuity payments from the government. This long-term, predictable revenue stream encourages private sector investment in infrastructure projects.

6. Sustainable Projects

• Focus on Maintenance: HAM includes a focus on the operational and maintenance phases of projects, ensuring the sustainability and longevity of infrastructure assets.
• Example: The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has adopted a hybrid-annuity-based PPP model for sewage treatment plants, ensuring long-term maintenance and operational efficiency.

Overcoming Funding Limitations with PPPs

The primary challenge in infrastructure development is funding, and PPPs, particularly through the HAM model, help address this limitation in several ways:

1. Attracting Private Investment

• Incentives for Private Sector: The government provides a fixed annuity payment, along with a variable component tied to project performance, making infrastructure projects more attractive to private investors.
• Example: The success of several toll roads and airports in India can be attributed to this model, which offers stable returns to private investors.

2. Sharing Financial Risks

• Risk Distribution: The government and private partners share the financial risks, reducing the burden on any one party. This makes it easier to attract investment from private players who might otherwise be hesitant to invest in infrastructure projects.
• Example: Banks benefit from a reduced exposure to risk in HAM projects. In traditional BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) projects, banks bear 70% of the risk, whereas in HAM, this is reduced to 35%.

3. Long-Term Financing Solutions

• Aligned Payment Structure: The HAM model spans several years, providing long-term financing solutions that match the nature of infrastructure projects, which often have extended development timelines.

4. Viability Gap Funding (VGF)

• Financial Support: The combination of VGF and annuity-based payments under HAM helps make projects viable, even if they have limited immediate revenue generation potential.

5. Competitive Bidding

• Driving Down Costs: The competitive bidding process under PPPs ensures that private players offer value for money, driving down costs and improving the efficiency of infrastructure projects.

Model Answer

Importance of Policies for the Elderly in India

India’s elderly population (aged 60 and above) is projected to reach 194 million by 2031, up from 138 million in 2021, marking a 41% increase (National Statistical Office, NSO, 2021). The growth rate of the elderly population between 2011 and 2021 was approximately three times that of the general population. This demographic shift underscores the necessity for targeted policies for the elderly, which are essential for India’s overall development.

Key Issues Facing the Elderly

1. Health Issues: Aging leads to various physiological changes, resulting in reduced immunity and increased morbidity. Rising healthcare costs necessitate a robust policy framework to address these health challenges.
2. Income Insecurity: Retirement often leads to a loss of income, exacerbating healthcare costs and affecting self-esteem. Policies must ensure financial security for the elderly.
3. Technology Adoption: Many elderly individuals find it challenging to engage with emerging technologies. Policies should aim to bridge the digital divide, facilitating their access to technology.
4. Awareness Generation: Lack of awareness regarding social security schemes contributes to low accessibility. Policies need to focus on informing the elderly about available resources.
5. Holistic Legal Framework: Current laws, such as the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007, require updates to address issues faced by childless elderly individuals and those who transferred property prior to the Act.

Economic and Social Contributions

Addressing these issues is crucial for India’s development for several reasons:

• Economic Development: The elderly contribute significantly to the economy through continued workforce participation, taxes, and resource transfers to families.
• Unpaid Care Work: Many elderly individuals, particularly women, provide essential unpaid care, supporting family members, including those with disabilities.
• Political Participation: In some contexts, elderly individuals can influence political outcomes, leveraging their economic resources and experience.
• Social Capital: The elderly often engage in community activities, volunteering, and governance, enriching social capital.

In light of the growing elderly population, it is imperative to recognize the opportunities that aging presents for sustainable development. Comprehensive policies will not only enhance the quality of life for the elderly but will also contribute to the broader socio-economic fabric of India.

Model Answer

Introduction

India faces a pressing challenge with 5.9 million infants classified as ‘zero food’ children—those aged 6 to 23 months who have not consumed significant calories in 24 hours. Alarmingly, the percentage of these children increased from 17.2% in 2016 to 17.8% in 2021. This situation underscores the critical need to prioritize maternal nutrition for several reasons.

Importance of Maternal Nutrition

1. Crucial First 1000 Days: Scientific studies indicate that the first 1000 days of an infant’s life are vital for nutritional development. Maternal health directly impacts the health of the child during this period.
2. Impact of Maternal Undernutrition: Maternal undernutrition contributes to approximately 20% of childhood stunting in India. Moreover, 20-30% of infants experience undernutrition even during the exclusive breastfeeding phase.
3. Consequences of Anaemia: According to the NFHS-5 survey, over 57% of women aged 15-49 suffer from anaemia, significantly affecting maternal and child health. India loses up to 1.18% of its GDP annually due to iron deficiency.

Strategies for Improvement

To effectively address the prevalence of ‘zero food’ children, maternal nutrition must be prioritized through:

• Increased Financial Commitment: Programs like Mission Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 require enhanced budget allocations. In 2022-23, 32% of funds under the POSHAN Abhiyaan were not utilized.
• Empowering Frontline Health Workers: Training and motivating frontline health workers (FHWs) can enhance service delivery and nutritional outcomes.
• Focusing on Adolescent Girls: Adolescence is critical for promoting dietary diversity. A gendered perspective in the National Nutrition Mission is necessary, especially given the 5% rise in anaemia among adolescent girls noted in NFHS-5.
• Awareness Campaigns: Educating mothers about nutrition during the first 1000 days can significantly improve health outcomes and reduce gender bias.
• Addressing Hidden Hunger: With 80% of adolescents suffering from micronutrient deficiencies, it is essential to focus on not just iron and folic acid, but also vitamins B12, D, and zinc.

Conclusion

Prioritizing maternal nutrition is essential for reducing the prevalence of ‘zero food’ children in India. By implementing targeted strategies, we can break the cycle of undernutrition and pave the way for a healthier future generation, contributing to the vision of a ‘Kuposhan-Mukt Bharat’.

Model Answer

Dependable Partner in the Indian Ocean Region

India’s strategic location in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) positions it as a central player in ensuring regional stability. The IOR is crucial, encompassing a diverse array of countries and holding significant global resources, including 40% of the world’s oil and gas reserves. India engages actively in multilateral organizations such as the Indian Ocean Rim Association and the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, aiming to foster peace and prosperity among littoral states .

India’s commitment to a rule-based order is evident in its adherence to international maritime laws, such as the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) tribunal’s award regarding maritime boundaries with Bangladesh . Furthermore, India has consistently provided humanitarian assistance, demonstrating its reliability. Notable instances include water aid to the Maldives in 2014 and vaccine support to IOR countries during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021 .

Role as a Net Security Provider

India’s potential to serve as a net security provider in the IOR is underscored by several initiatives:

1. Strengthening Maritime Security: India can enhance the maritime capabilities of neighboring states by exporting defense equipment and providing naval training. The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, initiated by India, facilitates collaboration among regional navies .
2. Disaster Relief Assistance: India regularly conducts Humanitarian Aid and Disaster Relief (HADR) exercises, sharing expertise and enhancing regional disaster response capabilities .
3. Rule-Based Policy Framework: Guided by the ‘Neighborhood First’ policy and SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region), India promotes trust and adherence to maritime norms among IOR nations .
4. Protection of Sea Lanes of Communication: India’s strategic presence allows it to secure vital maritime chokepoints, ensuring the safety of crucial Sea Lanes of Communication (SLOCs) .
5. Collaboration with Major Powers: Through platforms like the Quad, India can collaborate with other powers to address maritime security challenges in the IOR .

Challenges and Conclusion

Despite these strengths, India faces challenges from an assertive China and non-state threats like piracy and drug trafficking. Addressing these issues and formulating a coherent IOR strategy will be vital for India to solidify its role as a net security provider in the region. By enhancing its capabilities and fostering cooperation, India can effectively contribute to peace and stability in the Indian Ocean.